Core element wiper suspended boot

Abstract

A motion-transmitting remote control assembly including a conduit (14) movably supporting a flexible core element (10) with support fittings (16 and 18) disposed at each end of the conduit (14). A wiper cap (26) is supported for swivelling movement on a ball (24). The assembly is distinguished by a wiper-retainer (40) disposed about the core element (10) and a boot (42) having its ends (44 and 46) in tight gripping engagement with the wipers (26 and 40). In other words, a boot (42) extending between and supported by two core element wipers.

We claim: 
     
       1. A motion transmitting remote-control assembly comprising: a conduit means (14, 16, 18) extending between first and second ends;   a swivel ball (24) supported at said first end of said conduit means;   a flexible motion-transmitting core element (10) movably supported by said conduit means and extending from said swivel ball (24) at said first end thereof;   a wiper cap (26) mounted on said swivel ball (24) for swivelling movement about the center of said swivel ball (24) and including a wiper portion (28) in close sliding engagement with said core element (10);   wiper-retainer means (40) in close sliding engagement with said core element (10) and spaced axially along said core element (10) from said wiper cap (26), and a boot (42) extending between a first end (44) supported on said wiper cap (26) and a second end (46) supported on said wiper-retainer means (40), said boot (42) being flexible and axially extendable and contractible axially with movement of said core element (10).   
     
     
       2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wiper cap (26) includes a flange (36) extending annularly around said swivel ball (24), said first end (44) of said boot (42) being disposed about said flange (36). 
     
     
       3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said wiper cap (26) is a one piece member comprising a conical nose (28) flaring outwardly from said core element (10) through a swivel pocket (32) surrounding said ball (24) and through a reverse turn (34) and into said flange (36) which terminates in a distal end. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a projection (38) extending radially outwardly at said distal end of said flange (36), said first end (44) of said boot (42) defining a first band and a shoulder (48) with said band being disposed about said flange (36) and said shoulder (48) being hooked over said projection (38) to retain said first end (44) of said boot (42) on said wiper cap (26). 
     
     
       5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said wiper-retainer (40) includes an annular recess (50) and said second end (46) of said boot (42) includes a second band disposed in said recess (50). 
     
     
       6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bands at the ends (44 and 46) of said boot (42) are radially elastic for disposition about and tight engagement with said wiper cap (26) and said wiper-retainer (40) respectively. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said boot (42) includes corrugations (52) for said axial expansion and contraction. 
     
     
       8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said boot (42) is made of a different material than said wiper cap (26). 
     
     
       9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said conduit means comprises a flexible conduit (14) and at least one support fitting (16 or 18) disposed thereon for attachment to a structure, said swivel ball (24) being defined by said support fitting (16), and terminal means (20 and 22) disposed at the ends of said core element (10) for attachment to control members.